Scams and fraud tactics are part of our society. With advanced technology, predators can easily commit crimes from the comfort of their home or “workplace.” The Police Department receives complaints about scams frequently. Here are a few that are noteworthy and are driven on emotion or fear. Think before you react! Do not give out personal information, make any wire transfer or purchase gift cards.
- The IRS called requesting personal information or threatening arrest for a payment of owed taxes. The IRS will not call you and request you make payments using gift cards or wire transfers.
- Another financial scam people report is their bank or other financial institution calling “alerting” that their account has been hacked and they need your information to stop a transaction from happening. If it’s truly your bank calling, they will have all of your information, right? Hang up and call your bank to verify if you need to.
- The “Grandparent” scam is still prevalent in this area. You may receive a call from your “grandchild” who is trouble and is afraid to call their parent. A request for a wire transfer or gift card will be made for bond. Call your son/daughter to verify where your grandchild is.
- If you receive a call from a person who allegedly works for Microsoft or any anti-virus company indicating that there is a problem with your computer, they are looking to access your computer remotely. They want you to give them permission to access your computer to “fix” the problem. This person will have access to all of your information and any saved banking and/or credit card information. If you are on the internet and a message pops up indicating you have a virus and need to call Microsoft or an anti-virus software company, do not call them. They are attempting the same scam.
Scams can also lead to your identity being compromised. Identity theft is a topic that is critical because once you become victimized, it is difficult to clear your name and credit if it becomes compromised. Perpetrators will steal data such as social security numbers, date of birth, addresses, and bank account information. If your information is stolen, you may receive correspondence from companies or creditors for debt you weren’t aware of.
Credit card fraud and other financial scams are one of the most reported uses for identity theft. Some criminals steal credit card information only to make immediate purchases before the card is reported stolen. One of the bigger problems a victim may face is if other accounts are opened under their name. They may see bank or credit card transactions against their account that they did not make. A victim may also see outstanding debt from different accounts that will be in their name and will be their responsibility to pay or start the process of claiming identity theft. The process of clearing your name and credit can be costly and take an emotional toll on the victim.
Here are some tips to help prevent identity theft:
- Shred all documents that you no longer need that have personal information on them.
- Notify the post office to hold your mail if you will be out of town or have someone you trust pick up your mail.
- If using on-line sources for banking or shopping, make sure the site is secure and try to avoid using public computers or public Wi-Fi.
- Watch your surroundings when entering PIN numbers as criminals will attempt to watch from behind.
- Avoid providing personal information over the phone unless you are sure of who you are giving it to.
- Regularly check your credit report for suspicious activity.
If you become a victim it is important to:
- Immediately notify the company you have credit with about any transaction you did not authorize.
- File a police report or an online report with the Federal Trade Commission.
- Notify the three credit agencies: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.
- Follow-up to make sure that your credit is flagged for fraudulent activity. A fraud alert can be put on your credit to alert businesses that they must contact you prior to opening accounts.
The Lady Lake Police Department reminds you that we are here to help protect you from criminal activity but protecting your finances and identity starts with you. Using some of these tips can help you from becoming a victim.
